1978

John Nash, realizing the need for standardization in the training of competent professional dog groomers, began the task of developing this curriculum in 1978. The Nash Academy held its first class in the art of dog grooming and styling in New Jersey in July of 1979.

1984

In 1984, John Nash, along with Naoko and Mick Tsujihara, established an exchange program with the Sepia School of Dog Grooming in Japan. Many students have participated in this prestigious exchange program with great success.

1986

Vivian Nash was named International Dog Groomer of the Year, one of the highest achievements and honors in the dog grooming industry.

1988

In November, 1988, Vivian and John Nash opened a Nash Academy location in Lexington, Kentucky.

1991

Vivian Nash won the Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award for Dog Grooming Competition Judge of the Year.

In that same year, John Nash won the Cardinal Crystal Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Dog Grooming Industry.

1998

In 1998, Joey Villani became president and owner of the Nash Academy in New Jersey. He has been associated with the Nash Academy in New Jersey since its inception. Joey has been instrumental in assuring the quality of education at the New Jersey practical application school and in maintaining the standardization of the two Nash Academies.

Vivian and John Nash founded the International Judges Association for Dog Grooming Competitions, an organization dedicated to standardization and fairness in the judging of dog grooming competitions worldwide.

2000

In 2000, a German Exchange Program was established with Karin Kretschmer and her school, The KK Grooming School, located in Frankfurt, Germany.

2001

Vivian and John Nash, founders of the International Judges Association for Dog Grooming Competition, created the Triple Crown of dog grooming competitions, in which any individual winning three dog grooming classes from a select series of such competitions receives prize moneys of $30,000, the largest prize ever offered in dog grooming competition history.

2003

Tanya Nash assumed the position of Director of the Kentucky location of the Nash Academy.

2004

Tanya Nash, groomed for the position by Vivian and John Nash, became President of the Nash Academy, Kentucky. She has taken an active part in the business since she was a young child. Tanya, skilled in all aspects of the profession, oversees the practical application of the world renowned grooming and styling program in Kentucky.

On July 8, 2004, celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Nash Academy expanded into the world of online training. The Nash Academy, making history in the grooming profession by offering online classes for the Dog Grooming Profession, now offers its courses and programs globally.

2008

2009

January 1, 2009 Nash, Inc. launches www.GroomersReference.com. The Groomers' Reference is an online reference created for the pet care profession. As a tool, the Groomers' Reference is unparalleled. It is and always will be a work in progress, with new information being released on a daily basis. You will find a wealth of knowledge, compiled over decades, with illustrated guides for bathing, grooming and styling every AKC breed, including how to choose the right products, tools and equipment for every coat type.